This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have an interview with American ceramic artist and educator Bill Griffith. His sculptural vessels reference dwellings and sacred structures. Often using atmospheric kilns Griffith develops rich earth-toned surfaces reminiscent of the prehistoric architecture of the Native American Anasazi, Japanese Haniwa, Mayan and Incan cultures. He says of his work "The beauty and strength of the exterior arch form is juxtaposed to the mystery and intrigue of the protected quiet interior spaces. For me, the work reflects the inward sense of need for dwelling space we all have within us."

For the past 25 years Bill has been the program director for the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. He has been instrumental in Arrowmont's development of a nationally renowned summer workshop program and year long artist residency. Among his many contributions to the greater ceramic world he is the founder and co-coordinator of the Utilitarian Clay Conference. This quadrinial gathering is one of the premier forums for potters to discuss the evolution of the vessel within the ceramics field. For more information on his work please visit www.billgriffithclay.com. For more information on Arrowmont please visit their website www.arrowmont.org.

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have an interview with American ceramic artist Amanda Small. Her mixed media installations draw parallels between macro/ microbiological systems and cultural/interpersonal connection. In the interview we talk about the value of a multidisciplinary approach to education, traveling as a knowledge base for creativity, and her use of systems as a catalyst for sculpture.

She recently stepped down as the project coordinator at the Guldagergaard international ceramic research center in Skaelskor, Denmarkto focus full time on her studio work. As a recent recipient of a North Carolina Arts Council grant she has been awarded funding to establish a studio in her native Chapel Hill, NC. For more information on her work please visit www.amandasmall.com.